Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended

Italy vs England - as it happened: Eddie Jones' men see out seven-try victory in Rome

Re-live all the action from Sunday's Six Nations encounter

Jack de Menezes
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Sunday 04 February 2018 10:34 EST
Comments
The Six Nations: in numbers

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

England begin their Six Nations championship defence against Italy at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, with Eddie Jones' side looking to become the first nation to win the title outright three times consecutively in its 135-year history.

Jones rolls the dice by naming Ben Te'o at outside centre ahead of Jonathan Joseph, despite the Worcester Warriors midfielder not playing since October and having just seven appearances to his name this season, Te'o is brought in to try and give England some power out wide, with Joseph among the replacements should the game open up late on.

Italy meanwhile will be led by talismanic No 8 Sergio Parisse, who wins his 130th cap today, while fellow veteran Alessandro Zanni starts at lock to win his 100th cap 23 months after his last international appearance. The gauntlet has already been laid down by Wales, who thrashed Scotland 34-7 in the Six Nations' opening game yesterday, while Ireland needed a late Johnny Sexton drop-goal from 42m out to beat France 15-13.

Follow the latest here...


Please allow a moment for the blog to load...

18 mins: Fewer than 20 minutes gone and the first Mexican wave attempts are going up. not a good sign...

Jack de Menezes4 February 2018 15:25

20 mins: But there's a good sign from Italy as Boni breaks down the left...TRY FOR ITALY!

Jack de Menezes4 February 2018 15:26

20 mins: What a brilliant response from Italy. Outside centre Boni linked well with inside centre Castello and made all of 40 metres down the left, reaching the five metre line before he was stopped. Italy swept right, and Allan fielded a beautiful flat pass over the head of May into the hands of Tomasso Benvenuti, who beat Brown and dived over to score.

Allan adds the extras and the lead is cut to three points! 7-10.

Jack de Menezes4 February 2018 15:30

25 mins: Itoje rips the ball from Parisse and forces the knock-on - although I'm not entirely sure that went forwards at all - and England have the put-in.

Jack de Menezes4 February 2018 15:32

26 mins: TRY FOR ENGLAND!

Jack de Menezes4 February 2018 15:32

26 mins: Again, it's too easy for England to cut through the Italian line, and after good offloading from Vunipola and Cole, the ball comes back left and Owen Farrell dances through to score untouched. He adds the extras and restores the 10-point lead. 7-17

Jack de Menezes4 February 2018 15:35

31 mins: Italy win a penalty when Itoje holds on and Allan finds touch on the left about 36m out.

Jack de Menezes4 February 2018 15:37

32 mins: Itoje is guilty of another penalty as he fails to release the tackle before going for the ball. Allan kicks to touch again and Italy are just seven metres out.

Jack de Menezes4 February 2018 15:39

33 mins: It's an awful lineout and driving maul from Italy as they go to the front man and are driven straight into touch. Think England 2015 and you'll know what I mean...

England take their own lineout and set up the maul, and when it goes to ground England win the penalty for Budd not rolling away.

Jack de Menezes4 February 2018 15:41

35 mins: Launchbury takes the lineout cleanly and feeds Care, who has Simmonds on the charge. Ford then clears the ball away and Brown is guilty of a seatbelt tackle on Minozzi to concede an immediate penalty.

Jack de Menezes4 February 2018 15:43

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in